Right field in Major League Baseball in 2017 is loaded with perennial MVP candidates, homer mashers, defensive aces, mercurial superstars, up-and-coming sluggers, and steady hands.

It's one of the strongest positions in baseball, and here's the strongest of the strong:

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10

Hunter Pence - Giants

He hasn't hit 20 homers since 2014, but if he can stay healthy, it's not out of the question to think that he can get back to that plateau.

Pence is a steady hand for the Giants (when in the lineup), as he's slashed .276/.335/.455 in his six years (91 games per year) in San Francisco.

9

Jason Heyward - Cubs

My top pick to bounce back in 2017 (early returns are looking solid), Heyward would still make this list, even with the holes in his swing, as he's the best defensive outfielder in the National League — averaging 16.3 defensive WAR over the last three years.

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8

Yasiel Puig - Dodgers

Puig's mercurial personality overshadows that he's been a solid player, even during a period of time where he was sent to Triple-A last year. Over the last two years, he's slashed .260/.323/.425 with some incredible streaks peppered in there. If he can get back to his form of the first two years of his career, he'll be one of the best players in baseball, but even middle ground makes him one of the best right fielders in baseball.

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7

J.D. Martinez - Tigers

The Astros have made bunch of great moves in their push to win the franchise's first World Series, but releasing Julio Daniel was a mistake. Since arriving in Detroit four seasons ago, he's slashed .299/.357/.540 and averaged 28 homers. His defense might have fallen off a cliff last year (-21.5 UZR/150), but he's been tremendous.

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6

Carlos Gonzalez - Rockies

He's fallen off a bit since his incredible stretch between 2010-2013, but man, he's still really, really good. Over the last two years he's slashed .285/.337/.522 and averaged 32 homers and 98 RBI. Yes, Coors Field has plenty to do with that, but it's still notable.

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5

Jose Bautista - Blue Jays

Bautista might not have found a hospitable free agent market this summer, but he's still one of the best right fielders in the game. What else would you call a masher who's hit an average of 36 homers a year since 2010?

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4

Giancarlo Stanton - Marlins

Perhaps the most frustrating player in baseball, Stanton's prodigious power potential had many believing that he could hit 60-plus homers a season by this, his age 27 season. Stanton is yet to hit 40 homers in a season, but injuries have derailed the past three seasons — the first of which he nearly won MVP before taking a fastball to the face late in the season.

When he's healthy and clicking, there's arguably no more fear-inducing power hitter in the game. Here's hoping he can get back to that point.

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3

Andrew McCutchen - Pirates

Moving over to right field after spending most of his career in center, McCutchen is at a crossroads.

His 2012 to 2016 run was as good as any in baseball — averaging .313/.404/.523 with 25 homers, 90 RBI and nearly 20 stolen bases a year.

But last year, his averages dipped (in part because of some bad luck) and he didn't make the All-Star Game.

Is a bounceback season at age 30 in the cards or have we seen the best of Cutch?

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2

Mookie Betts - Red Sox

Betts had a really good first full MLB season in 2015.

Then he went out in 2016 and almost won MVP (damn you, Mike Trout).

Over the last two years, he's hit .306/.353/.508 with 25 homers and 25 stolen bases a year. He's also one of the best defensive right fielders in the game.

Betts isn't a one-year wonder, and at age 24, no one knows where the limit is.

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1

Bryce Harper - Nationals

Just a reminder that Harper posted a wRC+ of nearly 200 in 2015. That's Ruth and Bonds territory.

It doesn't matter what he did last year (which wasn't half bad, except by his own standards.) At age 22 he had one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history. He's the best right fielder in baseball until it's proven that was an anomaly (and you do you really think it is?)